Opposition not ready to understand CAA: PM Modi in Kolkata's Belur Math

"Our youth are aware citizens but there is still some who are unaware. It is our duty to spread awareness about the CAA," said Modi.

"The CAA is not made to snatch away citizenship but to grant citizenships to those who were tormented in countries like Pakistan. Is it wrong to think for the betterment of these religiously persecuted people?" asked Modi.

Reiterating that "CAA is not to revoke anyone's citizenship, but to accord citizenship," the Prime Minister stated that: "Mahatma Gandhi and other great leaders believed that India should give citizenship to repressed religious minorities of Pakistan."

"This has been increased for the people who have been religiously persecuted in Pakistan after Partition. They were having a bitter time living there. Women were in danger of losing their pride," he said.

Stating that the "Opposition is not ready to understand the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)", Modi said, some people are opposing the CAA for political gains and creating disturbances as a result.

Earlier in day, Modi paid his tributes to Swami Vivekananda and prayed to seer before making his address.

Modi's maiden Kolkata visit after returning to power in 2019 and most importantly registering Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s unprecedented surge in West Bengal was marred by citywide protests throughout Saturday though West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid a "courtesy" visit to him drawing taunts from the Left and Congress.

The day began with the launch of citywide protests by university students- mostly Leftists- who took out rallies from five different locations namely Golpark, Jadavpur 8B Bus Stand, Esplanade, College Street and Hatibagan while #GoBackModiFromBengal trended throughout the day on Twitter.

With mostly Indian Flag, the students staged a protest at Airport Gate Number 1 with an intention to block Modi's entry into the city though the Prime Minister took a chopper (helicopter) after landing at Kolkata Airport to reach Raj Bhavan.

At a time the students were blasting Modi with "Go Back slogans", Modi was warmly greeted by West Bengal Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, who is one of the closest people of Banerjee who heads the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Banerjee, drawing much ire and taunts from the Opposition, was present at Raj Bhavan beforehand to welcome Modi who had torn apart the TMC chief from a Delhi rally just few weeks ago.

Coming out from a closed-door meeting with the Prime Minister, Banerjee did interact with media and in her rare brief statements said, "I informed him (Modi) about the state's financial dues from the Centre. He said he will look into it. I also raised the issues of Citizenship (Amendment) Act and National Register of Citizens (NRC) and asked him to reconsider. I clearly stated him that we oppose the CAA, NRC and also National Popular Register (NPR)."

But the Chief Minister's words were just not enough for the Left and Congress who accused Banerjee of making an understanding with the Prime Minister to "safeguard her nephew" from the investigative agencies over alleged scams.

Within hours, Banerjee, who was trying hard to imply her meeting with Modi was just a constitutional obligation, joined her party's students' wing's protest at Rani Rashmoni Avenue barely few metres away from Raj Bhavan.

She said the Central Govt’s notification of CAA will stay only on paper.

Banerjee said, “Let me tell you, the Central Government notification on CAA will stay only on paper. We will not let it be implemented in Bangla at least.”

She said, "Nothing should be done in a democracy on the basis of religion, caste, it is inhumane and illegal. "

Modi is presently attending a function of the Calcutta Port Trust. He faced similar protests while entering the Netaji Indoor Stadium in city and faced black flags once again.